The Best Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones

You need the best headphones that block out noise, whether you want to block out the hum of your HVAC system or want to fight the sound of jet engine noises. The new Sony WH-1000XM5s are the new leaders in active noise cancellation and their predecessors are also excellent.

We've considered the adjustable ANC control buttons, touch controls, and on-ear detection (for pausing music when you take off your headphones). Our top picks feature high-resolution audio and comfortable, spacious ear cups.

1. Sony WH-1000XM5

The fifth generation of Sony's top headphones is a major upgrade over the ear headphones noise cancelling its predecessor, with better noise cancellation and improved audio quality. Its remarkable ANC performance creates a virtual cone of silence over your head. It also blocks out a surprising amount low-frequency sounds. The ear cups block out sounds in the mid-to-treble range like chatter from passengers and creaking metal.

The WH-1000XM5s sound very natural, unlike some noise cancelling headsets that can sound hollow. They can reproduce Billie Eilish’s drums with remarkable detail and keep the edges clean and pristine. It's an absolute pleasure listening to them during an extended flight or on a commute.

A capacitive touch-surface in the right earcup handles the most commonly used controls, including play/pause volume up/down, skip forwards/backwards and skip. It also lets you answer and end calls and switch between ANC and ambient sound mode. You can also press and hold the power key for several seconds to get a voice telling you how much battery capacity is left.

Another notable improvement on the XM5s model is its new QN1 microphone that is designed to capture high-quality audio when recording videos and podcasts. The microphone is more sensitive than the previous models and has a greater audio range that makes it easier for you to pick up your voice.

The XM5 also carries certain features that were XM4's like the adaptive ANC system that automatically optimizes performance based on the environment. The "Wearing Detection" feature detects when the headset is removed and stops playing music or video. It will then resume it as soon as they return to. It's compatible with Sony's DSEE Extreme Engine, which upscales compressed music to near high-res resolution.

2. Sony WH-1000XM4

The WH-1000XM4s are a new iteration of Sony's industry-leading over ear headphones, and even though they don't feature as much active noise canceling as the WH-1000XM5s, they still provide top-of-the-line performance. The WH-1000XM4s feature a more powerful Bluetooth connection and an improved noise cancellation algorithm. They also have an upgraded audio chip that enhances music to HD quality and has advanced voice controls.

The most significant improvement in this new generation is that Sony has made the WH-1000XM4s softer than before by putting padding on the headband and shifting the microphones to the outer edges of the ear. This makes them more comfortable to listen to for long periods.

You can also select between five different sound settings depending on the surrounding. You can also customize your EQ settings by using the Sony headphones app. They're a great option for those who travel and the app allows you to track your activity and automatically adjust the settings as you go.

Another significant improvement is the WH-1000XM4's noise cancellation which has been improved by enhancing the sensitiveness and improving the way it blocks out low frequencies. This can be tested by looking at graphs like the one shown above. Higher peaks mean that more sounds are being blocked out. The WH1000XM4s are also better in reducing low-frequency sounds like the hum of an air conditioning unit, Bose over The ear Headphones noise cancelling or the constant rumble from an airplane engine.

The WH-1000XM4s are still equipped with a a great set of features which include the battery that can last up to 30 hours and a built-in USB-C charging port. They also come with Quick Alert, which lets users touch the right earcup in order to deflect the music and turn on the transparency mode; Speak to Chat can pause media when you raise your voice (and works well, though it sometimes fails to register taps), and Sony's Smart Listening technology, which can analyze and detect your environment to deliver superior audio.

3. Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II

The Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II (or QC35 Wireless 2018) are earbuds that were released in September 2017. They've been replaced by the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 701 to be released in 2021. However they remain popular and affordable.

The QC35 II is a great pair of headphones that can be used for both mixed and Bose Over The Ear Headphones Noise Cancelling regular use. They provide a comfortable fit and a neutral sound profile that is default. They also provide exceptional noise isolation. They can be used in noisy environments or while traveling and they last for more than a day on a single charge. They are also compatible with the majority of smart assistants and can be activated with the use of a specific button. You can ask the assistant to play music, answer trivia questions or read your smartphone notifications.

The padding around the ears is large and can fit most types of ear. They are also lightweight. The hinges on the housings fold down and make them easy to fit into bags or backpacks. The controls on the right side of the headphones are well placed and comfortable to use. Playback is controlled by a series of taps that allow you to rewind or skip songs.

We heard The Beatles' Let It Be and the piano and drum beats. The QC35 II deliver crisp, clear sound that is smooth and precise. They reveal subtleties in the vocals, like Paul McCartney's irregular timing as he builds up to the chorus or Gerard Way's snarl when he sighs about the lack of individuality among teens.

The QC35 II is compatible with the majority of smart assistants and is able to connect to up to two devices simultaneously. The QC35 II also come with a carry case and a USB cable that is quick to charge.

4. Sony WH-CH720N

Sony is known for making top-quality headphones at a low cost. The WH-CH720N budget headphones are not an exception. These headphones carry over a lot of the features that make top WH-1000XM5 models so good, but with an affordable design. They also provide a good amount of active noise cancellation at a very low cost.

These headphones feature powerful drivers that measure 30mm in size. They provide crisp high frequencies and a full bass. They also feature an even tuning to make them sound great with various genres of music. They also have a large soundstage that lets you be immersed in your music.

The WH-CH720N headphones have buttons instead of the gestures or touch controls used by the XM5 headphones. This could be a bit of a disadvantage, as the buttons are initially confusing. Luckily, the headphones come with clear labels and the controls are arranged in a smart way. Double pressing of the+' button will pause and play audio. A single press lowers the volume. Pressing and holding the button will launch voice assistants, and also rejects calls.

With ANC activated the headphones will last for about 35 hours before running out of power. This is the highest battery life we've seen in over-ear headphones. They also feature a standby mode to aid in conserving battery.

The WH-CH720N headphones are connected to Android phones and iOS devices using Bluetooth. They support LDAC, which lets them play high-res audio on compatible devices. They also work with PlayStation consoles with an analog 1/8" TRS cable. They can be used as wired headphones on a PC using the included USB dongle. The Sony Headphones Connect app lets you customize your headphones with an EQ slider and presets, multipoint connectivity, as well as secure listening.

5. B&W PX7 S2

The PX7 S2 is a follow-up to the success of its predecessor, but it's not an unfinished update. They have a sleeker design and a brand new application. They fulfill their promise of premium build-quality, delivering audio that faithfully expresses artistic intention. They are also extremely comfortable to wear throughout the day.

While they don't match the noise cancellation of the bose over the Ear headphones Noise cancelling QuietComfort 35 Series II or the Sony WH-1000XM5 however, they do a good job of keeping out environmental sounds and ensuring you're able to focus on your music, podcasts or handheld gaming without distractions. They use a six microphone setup (four for the noise cancellation and two for voice pickup) and a revised algorithms which reduce ambient sound by 30dB. They are also among the only a handful of Bluetooth headphones we've tested that can be used passively, allowing users to listen to their music without the need to power the drive units.

They also work with the B&W Music app, a free download that offers many features that complement the superior noise cancelling. The Quick Action button can be set to turn on the voice assistant on your device to cycle through three settings for the environment and display the battery's life. It's annoying to have to press the button and hold it. A single press is more intuitive and simple.

The PX7 S2 is an audiophile pair that will delight lovers of music. They're not quite as appropriate for the high-quality music of genres such as metal and rock, which tend to favour bass-heavy productions and muddy low frequencies as they are for classics, folk, and Acoustic music, but will still be awe-inspiring to those who appreciate audiophile credentials that's also practical and comfortable.